What does arraignment involve?

Arraignment is a crucial step in the criminal justice process where a defendant is formally brought before the court to hear the charges against them and to enter a plea. During this proceeding, the accused has the opportunity to respond to the charges, typically by pleading guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The primary purpose of this stage is to ensure that the defendant understands the charges and their rights before proceeding with the judicial process.

While aspects such as plea negotiations and bail settings are important elements of the legal process, they occur at different stages. Plea deals may take place after arraignment, and bail can be set either at arraignment or during later proceedings. However, the essential definition of arraignment centers specifically on the act of bringing the accused into court for the purpose of pleading to the charges presented against them.